Appeal to trace van driver who hit car on city bypass and drove off
Police are asking the driver of a white van which was involved in a minor crash with a black BMW on the A720, city bypass, just before the Old Craighall junction, to get in touch.
The incident happened at around 5.25pm on Thursday, 6 May as both vehicles were driving eastbound. The driver of a white Renault van has cut in from lane two to lane one and on doing so has hit the BMW, causing damage to vehicle and then continued on its journey east on the A720. The driver and his teenage passenger in the car were uninjured.
Anyone who was driving on the A720 on Thursday evening and could have dash cam footage of the incident, or who saw either vehicle prior too, or after the collision, if asked to contact officers.
The driver of the van is asked to contact police as soon as possible. Those who can help should contact Police Scotland via 101 and quote incident number 2417 of 6 May
A Which? investigation has found that doorstep scammers are back in business after lockdown restrictions – and these ruthless fraudsters are using new coronavirus scams to target the most vulnerable.
According to Action Fraud data, £18.7 million was lost to doorstep crime in 2020 alone. With many in-person scams believed to go unreported, the true figures could be even higher.
Doorstep scams can come in many forms. For example, fraudsters might offer building, gardening or home improvement services and then overcharge for or never complete the work. Fraudsters also often pose as salespeople or charity workers as a means of parting people from their hard-earned cash.
The number of reports to police for this type of fraud in April 2020 was 46 per cent lower than April 2019 as doorstep sellers were banned during the lockdown. However, by summer 2020, reports of doorstep scams had returned to pre-pandemic levels, with fewer restrictions stopping fraudsters from going out.
Which? research has found that scammers have exploited vulnerable people’s uncertainty and isolation during the lockdowns and used the pandemic as an opportunity to create new coronavirus frauds and recycle old scams.
A survey of 1,186 Which? members found that 16 per cent have received unsolicited visits from someone claiming to be a salesperson or charity worker since the start of the first lockdown.
9 per cent said that they felt the visitor was pressuring them into making a purchase or performing a certain action, such as donating.
Although Which? doesn’t know how many of these visits were scams, even genuine doorstep selling can leave consumers at a disadvantage. These unexpected visits can also be unnerving – especially for elderly or vulnerable people or if the salesperson is particularly pushy.
Which? member William Grayson, 81, lives alone in Weston-super-Mare, a 40 minute drive from his closest relatives.
William was visited at his home by two volunteers from a ‘Covid support group’ who offered to do shopping and errands for him while he was shielding. He gave the young couple £200 cash over two visits for food and home essentials but never got his shopping. He said: “Realising these people were out to get me made a dark time even darker for me to be honest.”
Which? has heard from other victims across the UK who have been targeted by fraudsters claiming to be from local NHS services offering fast-track testing and vaccines, collecting donations for fake charities and selling vitamin pills that ‘protect against’ Covid-19.
NHS services across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland continue to stress that all testing and vaccine services are free of charge, and nobody will ever turn up at someone’s home without warning. Those being vaccinated at home will likely be contacted in advance by their local NHS service, or regular district nurse, to arrange an appointment.
An increase in home improvement projects during lockdown provided scammers with new opportunities to rehash old scams.
Over a third (37%) of Which? members surveyed who had an unsolicited door knock said it was someone offering home improvement services.
When two landscapers turned up at Lucy’s, whose name has been changed, front door in Maidenhead last July, offering to tidy up her front garden, she didn’t think it was unusual that they’d asked for the money up front.
She explained: “They said they’d been working on my neighbour’s garden and thought mine looked like it could do with a bit of TLC. It was funny because I’d recently been admiring my neighbour’s new front garden.”
Lucy later found out they weren’t the same traders that had worked on her neighbour’s garden. She has since given up hope of getting any money back.
Unfortunately for Lucy, victims are unlikely to get their money back if they’ve handed over cash.
Cash transactions are also untraceable which makes the perpetrators harder to track down and bring to justice.
Which? advises consumers against buying from unsolicited doorstep sellers. This applies to anyone that calls by who isn’t expected, or who consumers haven’t made an appointment for, such as water or electric meter readings or gas engineers.
If there are any safety fears, police and Trading Standards advise calling 999. This also goes for particularly aggressive traders.
It is banned practice for a trader to refuse to leave your property if you’ve asked, although this may be justified under some circumstances, such as to enforce a contractual obligation.
Consumers should also sign up to Which?’s scam alert service in order to familiarise themselves with some of the latest tactics used by fraudsters, particularly given the explosion of scams since the coronavirus crisis.
Adam French, Which? Consumer Rights Expert, said: “It’s highly concerning that doorstep scammers are back in business and looking to exploit the pandemic in every way they can. We all need to be wary of anyone who knocks on our door unexpectedly.
“Adopting a blanket policy not to buy goods or services offered at the door is a sure-fire way to stop any would-be fraudsters in their tracks. However, if you do decide to purchase something at your door, you should ask the seller for their ID or call the company to verify their identity before making any payments.
“If you encounter a fraudster, you should report this to Action Fraud in England or call Policing Scotland on 101 in Scotland and if you have any safety fears, dial 999 immediately.”
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, a significant portion of incidents Edinburgh CID dealt with occurred outdoors and in public spaces.
Typically, these would be reports of serious assault and other violent crime, robbery and sexual offences, often late into the evening. As you can imagine, alcohol and substance abuse often plays a pivotal role in many of these offences.
However, with licensed premises closed for large portions of the past year, and people advised to stay within their homes, there have been significantly lower numbers of such crimes taking place in the public sphere.
That is not to say that crimes of violence and sexual assault have stopped, it means however many may now be taking place behind closed doors and away from the gaze of others.
Our work becomes all the more important in these instances to protect vulnerable people from harm and bring offenders to justice and I would therefore appeal to all members of our communities to contact police immediately if you have concerns relating to potential criminal activity taking place within the home setting.
Alternatively make an anonymous report to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 as there’s a key role our community can play here.Since lockdown restrictions began easing, we have already, sadly seen a return to some of the typical crimes that take place outdoors, particularly during warm weather.
My officers continue to investigate these incidents, which included various people being assaulted. This takes significant level of resourcing and staffing hours and the unacceptable behaviour of a small minority of troublemakers will not be tolerated. I would like to thank the public for the positive response regarding this incident to date.
The summer months also tend to see a rise in bogus workmen offences and in the past week we’ve had reports of men aged between 25 and 40, with Middlesbrough accents, calling at doors attempting to sell goods.
Our advice is to exercise caution where you have concern, refuse whatever goods or services individuals like this are offering, do not allow them entry to your home and ask them to leave before calling police and providing all relevant details of the suspects, including what kind of vehicle they were travelling in.
Proactive disruption activity is a vital tactic we utilise to hamper the operations of crime groups and we regularly undertake enforcement activity aimed at seizing drugs, weapons and other illicit items.
Our efforts can only be successful, however, if we have the support of our communities and so if you have information about ongoing criminality in your area then please get in touch.
I want to finish off by raising awareness of an offence that is becoming more prevalent, not only in Edinburgh, but across the UK.
I am referring to county lines and cuckooing, where criminals from outside this region set up shop in order to commit illegal activities, particularly the sale of drugs in our communities.
On occasions, vulnerable people often living alone will be targeted through threats and intimidation and their properties will be used as a base of operation for criminals, which can often be pretty overt and noticeable to neighbours.
If you have any concerns at all that a person or group of people are committing crimes in your community, possibly within the home of a vulnerable person, then please report the matter to police immediately.
Detective Chief Inspector Graham Grant, Edinburgh CID.
Following an increase in antisocial behaviour in Portobello recently, local officers will be carrying out focused patrols this weekend.
Local community Sergeant Suzie Sandbach of Craigmillar Police Station said: “Officers responded to a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour involving groups of youths in Portobello last weekend.
“Dealing with disorder and antisocial behaviour is a policing priority in Edinburgh and I’d like to reassure residents, visitors and business owners in Portobello that there will be an increased police presence over the coming weekends to disrupt anyone intent on causing trouble.
“Our open spaces and beaches can now be enjoyed by the wider community and beyond, but sadly this can be ruined by the reckless behaviour of a small minority which is often fuelled by alcohol, and will not be tolerated.
“Local officers will continue to remain visible in the area, on mobile, foot or cycle patrol and I ask that if you see any criminality in the area help us hold offenders to account by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.”
Councillors yesterday gave the green light for £450K funding to install temporary public toilets in busy parks and other ‘hotspot’ areas in Edinburgh like the Meadows and Portobello.
Environment Convener Lesley Macinnes, said:“As the weather gets warmer and we ease out of lockdown our beautiful parks, beaches and other open spaces are going to be busier than ever.
“I’m really pleased Council agreed this funding today allowing us to respond so quickly to provide these much needed facilities over the summer months. We’ll publicise the list of temporary public toilets as soon as we have it.”
A drug dealer has been jailed for 45 months after drugs worth an estimated street value of £220,000 were recovered in Edinburgh. Dale Cleeton (28) admitted being concerned in the supply of drugs at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday (Tuesday, 27 April).
A Police Scotland operation between November 2017 and February 2019 recovered significant quantities of cocaine, and smaller quantities of other controlled drugs, at various locations across Edinburgh.
Detective Inspector Mark McCullagh from OCCTU (Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit) East said: “As a result of this operation, a significant quantity of harmful drugs were taken off the streets of Edinburgh, and Dale Cleeton has now been held to account for his actions.
“Drugs can have a devastating impact on communities and officers are working every day to identify those involved in supply and put a stop to their despicable activities.
“Support from members of the public is vital to this work and we would continue to encourage people to engage with the police and pass on any relevant information.
“Anyone with information or concerns about drugs activity in their area can contact Police Scotland through 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Police in Edinburgh have released CCTV images of 3 males they believe may have information that could assist with ongoing enquiries into an assault which occurred on Lothian Road on Friday 7 August 2020 at around 11.15pm.
It is believed the males pictured will be able to assist the police investigation and they, or anyone who recognises them, is asked to come forward.
Police Constable Kieran Keddie from Gayfield CID said: “We are appealing for anyone who can help us locate these males to get in touch with us. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or make an anonymous report through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Police are appealing for information after two “bogus workman” incidents in the Corstorphine area.
The first incident happened at a property on Broomhall Avenue and was reported around 12.35pm Wednesday (21 April).
Two unidentified men claimed to have carried out work on a neighbour’s roof which had extended to the house owner’s property.
They persuaded the resident to give them a low three figure sum of money for their work. It eventually turned out now work had been carried out.
The second incident happened at Craigmount Place in Edinburgh around 10.45am and again involved two men attempting to persuade work was needed on the roof of an elderly resident’s property.
However, they ultimately left empty handed after the resident spoke to his bank who raised concerns this may be fraudulent.
Both incidents are being treated as linked and enquiries are ongoing.
Both men are white. One was in his mid to late 40s, of slim build with short brown hair. He was wearing a red jumper and brown trousers. The second is described as wearing a dark jumper.They were using a white panel van.
Detective Constable Jenna Lawrie of Corstorphine Police Station said: “We are carrying out extensive enquiries to identify these men and would urge anyone else who believes they may have seen him to get in touch.
“We would urge everyone to be wary if anyone attending unexpectedly at your property and always to ask for identification.
“False callers are often well practiced and can be very convincing. A genuine caller will expect you to check for identification and will not put you under any pressure if you check.
“Anyone who has information about these incidents is asked to call 101, quoting incident 1283 of 21 April, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Police are seeking witnesses to an assault which happened outside a convenience store in Drylaw.
Around 9pm on Saturday, 10 April, 2021, a 34-year-old woman was outside the Day Today store in Easter Drylaw Place. She sustained a serious facial injury in an assault but did not require hospital treatment.
Officers are following a positive line of enquiry in relation to the assault but are seeking witnesses to come forward.
A member of the public came to her aid and officers are especially keen to hear from her.
Despite the time in the evening the area around the shops was busy with people and officers continue to check CCTV from nearby premises and carry out door-to-door enquiries in relation to the enquiry.
If anyone has any information, please call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1142 of 12 April, 2021.
Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where you can give your information anonymously
There is no legal definition of Stalking, however it can be described as:
“Two or more behaviours directed towards a victim which cause, are intended to cause, or where the perpetrator’s behaviour is reckless as to whether it causes, the victim to suffer fear and alarm.”
‘Fear and alarm’ is physical or psychological harm. It is also fear for your safety.
Stalking behaviours
Each stalking situation is unique and stalkers may have different motivations. The tactics they use are often very similar.
These include:
Following someone
Contacting or attempting to contact a person by any means
Publishing material about someone without their consent
Monitoring someone’s phone, internet, email or other form of communication
Loitering in a public or private place
Interfering with someone’s property
Leaving unwanted gifts or notes for someone
Watching or spying on someone.
If you think you are being stalked or are suffering harassment, please report it to Police Scotland.
You can do this at your local police station, by phoning 101, reporting online or calling 999 if it is an emergency.
